University of Calgary Dinos Linden Gaydosh (L) was selected first overall by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in today's CFL draft. (REUTERS)

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats kept the first overall pick in today’s CFL draft and selected University of Calgary defensive tackle Linden Gaydosh.

The Ticats had three firm offers for the No. 1 choice, according to a source, but they kept it and picked the player who dominated the CFL Combine in Toronto in late March.

Gaydosh was the most attractive player of all the top prospects because he doesn’t have any NFL prospects at the moment. Regina defensive tackle Stefan Charles, McMaster offensive lineman Matt Sewell and Eastern Michigan defensive end Andy Mulumba all signed NFL contracts last weekend.

The Ticats struggled mightily on defence last season and ended up with a 6-12 record, which is why they picked first overall today. They were particularly beaten up on the defensive line, but the new regime under general manager and head coach Kent Austin started shoring it up by signing Brian Bulcke and Shomari Williams in free agency.

Gaydosh had 12 tackles, two and a half tackles for a loss and a sack last season for the Dinos and was named a Canada West all-star for the second straight year. He was a second-team All-Canadian in 2011.

The Peace River, Alta., native is 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds and was impressive at the combine, doing 36 reps on the bench press and dominating offensive linemen during the one-on-one drills.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers stayed on the defensive side of the ball with the second overall pick, grabbing Eastern Michigan defensive end Andy Mulumba. Bombers defensive co-ordinator Casey Creehan recruited Mulumba, a Montreal native, to play at Eastern Michigan in 2009.

The Montreal Alouettes took Calgary linebacker Mike Edem, whose stock skyrocketed at the CFL combine, with the third overall choice. Edem, who hails from Brampton, Ont., will likely be a safety at the CFL level and should play all four special teams.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders took another Eastern Michigan player at No. 4, snagging offensive lineman Corey Watman. The Queensville, Ont., product struggled a bit at the combine, but that was attributed to the fact he hadn’t been playing a yard off the ball for four years.

The Alouettes also had the fifth overall choice and grabbed Calgary running back Steven Lumbala, who is the younger brother of B.C. Lions fullback Rolly Lumbala.

Speaking of the Lions, they looked to the future to take Liberty offensive lineman Hunter Steward sixth overall. Steward still has a year of NCAA eligibility remaining. Steward moved to Virginia for his senior year of high school.

The Calgary Stampeders picked up another future, University of Texas-El Paso offensive lineman Brander Craighead at No. 7. Craighead hails from Ottawa and has the size to compete at the tackle position, which means he could be a ratio breaker for the Stampeders down the road.

The defending Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts made a pick at No. 8 that could pay huge dividends, grabbing McMaster offensive lineman and Milton, Ont., native Matt Sewell. The 6-foot-7, 340-pound tackle signed with the NFL’s Tennessee Titans last week, but if he doesn’t pan out south of the border he should have a long CFL career. He was the fourth-ranked player in the final CFL Scouting Bureau ranking.

Ottawa’s new franchise made the first pick in its history at ninth overall, choosing NCAA redshirt junior offensive lineman Nolan MacMillan, a Toronto native who plays at the University of Iowa. Ottawa will make four choices Monday, and they all have to be redshirt juniors since the yet-to-be-named team won’t begin play until 2014.